Surprised by Love

Kate Reading's crisp British accent recounts the complicated life of Joy Davidman Gresham as she evolves from a teenage prodigy to a communist, atheist, and then, finally, a Christian. Reading provides a hard American accent to Davidman's own writings and quotes, painting a portrait of the intelligent, tough, and sensitive woman she was. Dorsett's book shines as he describes Davidman's life with Christian apologist C.S. Lewis, whom Davidman pursued intellectually and spiritually, eventually marrying him. While the relationship between Davidman and Lewis was controversial, Dorsett paints the relationship as mutual, and Reading gives it equal respect. Together they provide a scholarly look at the lives of two gifted writers. H.L.S. (c) AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine